Hayesville Yellow Jackets Blank Mitchell in Playoff Opener, 3-0

Photo by Carissa Daniels

The Hayesville Yellow Jackets kicked off their North Carolina High School Athletic Association tournament run with a commanding 3-0 victory over the Mitchell Mountaineers on Tuesday, May 6th. Stellar pitching, timely hitting, and lockdown defense propelled Hayesville into the next round.

Senior pitcher Jackson Sellers was the star of the night, delivering a complete-game shutout. Sellers went seven innings, allowing just two hits and four walks while striking out seven. His command on the mound kept Mitchell’s bats silent, setting the tone for Hayesville’s dominant performance.

Offensively, the Yellow Jackets got contributions up and down the lineup. Kyle Shaheen led the way, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base. Kendall Boyer was a sparkplug, also going 2-for-3, scoring a run, and swiping four bases to keep Mitchell’s defense on edge. Chance Hughes chipped in with a sacrifice fly, and Cooper Matheson capitalized on a passed ball to score from third.

Hayesville’s defense was equally impressive, backing Sellers with error-free play in the field. The Yellow Jackets’ airtight performance ensured Mitchell never found a foothold in the game.

With the win, Hayesville advances to host the winner of Thomasville and Mountain Island Charter on Friday, May 9th. The outcome of that matchup was not available at the time of publishing.